Another incredible journey on the Glacier Express train, which is a slow train ride all day thru the Swiss Alps, large glass windows all over, this was worth the money. As it slowly meandered up into the mountain tops, all you got were stunning views around every bend. The incredible steep, deep gorges, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, beautiful villages, cows in the meadows (with their Swiss bells on), snow capped mountains, frozen waterfalls, glaciers, lush green countryside, tunnels straight thru the mountains, bridges & roads towering over head, our heads & cameras were turning every which way.
St Moritz turned out to be a magic time that will be forever etched into our memories. This is a wealthy ski town. Arrived after 5pm to a few showers, some sun, surrounded by ski mountains & a great hostel. The next morning we were awaken with snow falling, transforming this beautiful place into a Alice in Wonderland. Lyn & I rugged up & went outside to play in the snow, despite having no gloves or waterproof runners, (frozen toes). How lucky were we, now I can say I have experienced a white Xmas (without the Xmas). It snowed all day, burying everything, forcing the snow ploughs to clear the roads & footpaths.
We stopped at Innsbruck & Salzburg (Austria) which is just as beautiful scenery, people warm & welcoming & finally reached Vienna.
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Wednesday 24 June 2015
Thursday 11 June 2015
Wednesday 10 June 2015
Tuscany
We hired this little red fiat to get us around in the mountains & country villages.
The views from our Marriott hotel, where we had breakfast on the terrace everyday.
The little village of Barga that gave us the true culture & lifestyle
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The views from our Marriott hotel, where we had breakfast on the terrace everyday.
The little village of Barga that gave us the true culture & lifestyle
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Monday 8 June 2015
Next stage of the journey Switzerland, Zurich, Luzern, interlaken
Starting to get used to our first class train journey's & heading for Zurich. Sonya (who I used to live with in airlie beach & now working living in manedorf outskirts of Zurich) met us at the train station. Big hugs, kiss & a wonderful smile, was a warm & welcoming site. We took the 1 1/2 hrs sunset ferry cruise on the lake to go back to her place, which was a welcome change to public transport or taxi, gave us a chance to have a good chat & catchup while taking in the sites & views, was very special. Spent a couple of days with Sonya, got to enjoy the city of Zurich, immersed ourselves in the local flea market, where Lyn managed to grab a few bargains (warm coat, wool jumper, hooded jacket) as the weather had turned cold on us, to which we were not prepared. I on the other hand decided to suck it up, freeze to death, be wet & cold because I didn't want to carry any more gear in my backpack & was only going to be cold for a short time.
Said our sad goodbyes to Sonya, heading to Luzern for the day, another beautiful old town, with 2 gorgeous old very long wooden walk bridges that crossed the river, also had this amazing carving of a wounded lion carved into a cave on a massive stone wall with a large pond & beautiful garden, gr8 day, but back on the train to interlaken, once again being greeted by stunning scenery, mountains, lakes, rivers, snow, glaciers & frozen waterfalls, magic warm sunny days, just sent me into the freedom of nature.
After spending late afternoon doing some major changes to our booked train trips & accomodations, changing our schedules due to the beautiful weather, upsetting the Swiss rail people, paying extra for the changes & totally being stressed out, hotel reception lady reassured us it will all be ok, relax, tomorrow will be a new adventure.
She was right, perfect sunny day, took the train, a bus & 3 cable cars up to Schilthorn pizglocia mountian. We started at 19 degrees, then 11, next stage 7 & by the time we reached the 2033 mtrs high peaks of the snow capped mountains it was 4degrees, but magic sunshine, it was just incredible views. We had lunch at Murren ( only 400 people in this little mountain village) further down the mountain where our views of the cliffs, gorge, skydivers, waterfalls, were all in front of us, real calming. Still descending, where I ventured into the Trummelbach falle, which consist of 10 tremendous powerful waterfalls raging inside & thru the mountain at horrific speed, u had to be taken up by a fanicular tram high in the tunnel up inside the mountain, was fantastic. It has been a very inspiring day to be alive.
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Said our sad goodbyes to Sonya, heading to Luzern for the day, another beautiful old town, with 2 gorgeous old very long wooden walk bridges that crossed the river, also had this amazing carving of a wounded lion carved into a cave on a massive stone wall with a large pond & beautiful garden, gr8 day, but back on the train to interlaken, once again being greeted by stunning scenery, mountains, lakes, rivers, snow, glaciers & frozen waterfalls, magic warm sunny days, just sent me into the freedom of nature.
After spending late afternoon doing some major changes to our booked train trips & accomodations, changing our schedules due to the beautiful weather, upsetting the Swiss rail people, paying extra for the changes & totally being stressed out, hotel reception lady reassured us it will all be ok, relax, tomorrow will be a new adventure.
She was right, perfect sunny day, took the train, a bus & 3 cable cars up to Schilthorn pizglocia mountian. We started at 19 degrees, then 11, next stage 7 & by the time we reached the 2033 mtrs high peaks of the snow capped mountains it was 4degrees, but magic sunshine, it was just incredible views. We had lunch at Murren ( only 400 people in this little mountain village) further down the mountain where our views of the cliffs, gorge, skydivers, waterfalls, were all in front of us, real calming. Still descending, where I ventured into the Trummelbach falle, which consist of 10 tremendous powerful waterfalls raging inside & thru the mountain at horrific speed, u had to be taken up by a fanicular tram high in the tunnel up inside the mountain, was fantastic. It has been a very inspiring day to be alive.
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Josie's journey Bologna , Venice,
Hello everyone,
Once again our travels continued after leaving beautiful Tuscany, we stopped at Bologna. Much to our surprise this city was quite nice to wonder around in, considering when we came in by train it was dirty, full of graffiti & not a pleasant train station. This city has the oldest university still running in Europe. There was a decent amount of tourist, but not over bearing. The town had a religious festival on, so the beautiful old San peditrio church, had a service happening with choir singing, the amazing pipe organ playing, with the church filled, people from all walks of life, singing & coming together in prayer, was a nice experience to sit & observe.
Change of pace, off on the speed train to Venice. Up the ante, tourist everywhere, traffic jams of a different type, being on the water in the canals this time. The charm of this grand old city, you can understand why it is immersed in a quaint romantic lifestyle. The crisscrossing of the beautiful bridges, walking the stone paths amongst the local villages, the atmosphere that food, wine, families,friends, music draws people together is the most fabulous sight to watch & be part of. The incredible old structures, architect, history, traditional culture, coming together with tourism just allows you to enjoy the journey.
Sent from my
Once again our travels continued after leaving beautiful Tuscany, we stopped at Bologna. Much to our surprise this city was quite nice to wonder around in, considering when we came in by train it was dirty, full of graffiti & not a pleasant train station. This city has the oldest university still running in Europe. There was a decent amount of tourist, but not over bearing. The town had a religious festival on, so the beautiful old San peditrio church, had a service happening with choir singing, the amazing pipe organ playing, with the church filled, people from all walks of life, singing & coming together in prayer, was a nice experience to sit & observe.
Change of pace, off on the speed train to Venice. Up the ante, tourist everywhere, traffic jams of a different type, being on the water in the canals this time. The charm of this grand old city, you can understand why it is immersed in a quaint romantic lifestyle. The crisscrossing of the beautiful bridges, walking the stone paths amongst the local villages, the atmosphere that food, wine, families,friends, music draws people together is the most fabulous sight to watch & be part of. The incredible old structures, architect, history, traditional culture, coming together with tourism just allows you to enjoy the journey.
Sent from my
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